Process for making a massage device departing from an electric toothbrush

ABSTRACT

There is provided a process for making a massage device comprising taking the body and motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush head therefor; and adapting the bristle head of said brush head to produce a massage head that is substantially smooth and devoid of bristles.

The present invention relates to a process for making a massage deviceand accessories therefor. In particular, the present invention relatesto a process for making a massage device for sexual stimulation.

The sex toy marketplace is dominated by cheap, poorly manufactured andlargely ineffective vibrators and clitoral stimulators. Clitoral or“G”-spot stimulators are usually underpowered and ineffective. Thestimulators on the market that have proven effective are usually mainspowered and expensive.

Electric toothbrushes are known for their stimulating vibrations.However, such devices are not designed nor are they suited for use assexual massage devices.

Electric toothbrushes are becoming increasingly common in homes and arewidely available as an affordable luxury, even necessity.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a processfor making a massage device that can use the motor component and body ofa commonplace electric toothbrush. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a process for making low cost and lightweightmassage heads for use with the massage device mentioned supra. Yet afurther object of the present invention is to provide a process formaking a sexual massage device that is small and discrete; theappearance of most sex toys is usually very indicative of their purposewhich can be embarrassing for owners and users.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aprocess for making a massage device comprising

-   (a) taking the body and motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush    head therefor, said brush head comprising a bristle head; and-   (b) adapting said bristle head to produce a massage head that is    substantially smooth and devoid of bristles.

As used herein, the term substantially smooth is defined as a surface,that is not rough, sharp or abrasive and may include a surface whichcontains shallow protuberances such as ridges, ribs or mounds.

As used herein, the term brush head is used to mean that part of theelectric toothbrush which comprises a bristle head, typically located atone end of a shaft. The shaft itself, typically connects at its otherend to the body and motor of the electric toothbrush. The bristle headtypically comprises a base shaped for receipt of plural bristles andplural bristles received thereby. The bristle head is typically providedwith a mounting for mounting the bristle head to the brush head of theelectric toothbrush. In turn, the brush head is mountable to the bodyand motor of the electric toothbrush.

The adaptation of the bristle head can be achieved in a variety of ways.

In a first aspect, the bristles of the bristle head are trimmed(typically to a length of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm)or the bristles are pulled out entirely (e.g. using pliers). A resin isthen applied to the remaining bristle head (generally in the same areaas the trimmed bristles) to form the smooth massage head. Typically, theresin is an epoxy resin. Desirably, from a production standpoint theresin is quick setting.

Epoxy resin is particularly suitable because it beads well and forms avery strong bond with the remaining bristle head. The quantity andviscosity of the resin used will determine the final shape of the smoothmassage head. From a production point of view, UV setting epoxy resinsare suitable. The epoxy resin used must be of a medical grade suitablefor the intended purpose, and for all other possible uses.

In a second aspect, the bristles of the bristle head are again trimmed(typically to a length of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm)or the bristles are pulled out entirely (e.g. using pliers). A smoothmassage head fixture is then applied to the remaining bristle head(generally in the same area as the trimmed bristles) to form the smoothmassage head.

In a first variation of the second aspect, the smooth massage headfixture is adhesively fixed to the remaining bristle head.

In a second variation of the second aspect, the smooth massage headfixture is shaped to engage with the remaining bristle head. In oneexample, the massage head fixture is provided with a collar which isshaped to engage the remaining bristle head.

Once engaged, the massage head fixture and remaining bristle head may bepermanently fixed by means of a bonding or welding operation. All knowntypes of welding are suitable including heat welding and ultrasoundwelding. In one aspect, the weld is obtainable by energy generated by asonitrode head, of energy output 100-200 Watts, frequency 20-50 kHz andduration 100-200 milliseconds. In one aspect, the weld is a singlecontinuous weld. In another aspect, the weld comprises a plurality ofspot welds such as from 2 to 100, more preferably 4 to 50 spot-welds.

In a third aspect, the bristles of the bristle head are again trimmed(typically to a length of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm).The remaining bristle head is then smoothed by a mechanical smoothingprocess (e.g. an abrasive smoothing process) to form the smooth massagehead.

In a fourth aspect, the bristles are pulled out of the bristle head.Optionally, and when required, the remaining bristle head is (further)smoothed by a mechanical smoothing process to form the substantiallysmooth massage head. Suitably, the pulling out is achieved by initiallyusing a gripping means to grip the ends of the bristles and thenapplying pulling force to pull the bristles from the bristle head. Inone particular aspect, a set of pliers is used to pull the bristles fromthe bristle head.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided aprocess for making a massage device comprising

-   (a) taking the body and motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush    head therefor, said brush head comprising a bristle head; and-   (b) replacing said bristle head with a massage head that is    substantially smooth and devoid of bristles.

The massage head may comprise a component made from rubber, plastics,metal, wood or fabric. The head may be smooth or it may be textured.

The motor of the electric toothbrush may be mains powered and/or have arechargeable power source.

One or more batteries may power the motor of the electric toothbrush.

The motor of the electric toothbrush may provide vibrational and/orrotational movement and/or oscillatory movement and/or combinationsthereof.

Alternatively or in addition, the motor of the electric toothbrush mayprovide translation movement.

In one aspect, the motor of the electric toothbrush may providecontinuous movement. In another aspect, the motor of the electrictoothbrush provides pulsed movement.

In one aspect, the massage device may further comprise an intermediateshaft for positioning between the body of the electric toothbrush andthe massage head. In this aspect, the intermediate shaft may convert themovement generated by the motor of the electric toothbrush from one modeto another.

Alternatively or in addition, the intermediate shaft may convert themovement from rotational movement to vibrational movement and/ortranslational movement and/or oscillatory movement.

In one aspect, the massage head may convert the movement generated bythe motor of the electric toothbrush from one mode to another, forexample, may convert the movement from rotational movement tovibrational movement and/or translational movement and/or oscillatorymovement.

The massage device herein may be provided as a kit of parts comprising abody and a motor of an electric toothbrush; a massage head, said headbeing substantially smooth and devoid of bristles. Suitably, the kitfurther comprises a power source.

The invention will now be described further with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a massage device obtainable by the processin accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a massage device comprising an intermediateshaft and remote massage head also obtainable by the process in accordwith another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a massage device comprising an intermediate shaft andsmooth circular remote massage head further obtainable by the process inaccord with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows the outline of a process in accord with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows three alternative smooth massage head shapes for use inaccord with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the outline of a first process in accord with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 shows the outline of a second process in accord with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows the outline of a third process in accord with the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternative aspects of the process of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a massage device 2comprising a motor (not shown) and a body 4 of a commonplace standardelectric toothbrush. The body 4 takes the form of an elongate handle 6and a shaft 8 on which a regular electric toothbrush head may beapplied. In the present invention, the toothbrush head is replaced witha massage head 10. The body 4 contains a control 6 a for choosingbetween continuous or pulsed motor action.

In this embodiment, the head contains a mechanical mechanism to convertthe rotation provided by the motor of the electric toothbrush body 4into back-and-forward and/or vibrational movement of the head. Incontrast to a device wherein the entire device is vibrating, in thepresent invention, the energy from the device is directed andconcentrated at the point at which the head is applied.

In FIG. 2, the massage device 2 has an intermediate neck 12 linked tothe body 4 and a remote massage head 14. The intermediate neck 12remains stationary during use and transmits the forces produced by themotor and rotating shaft 8 to the remote head 14 via a head agitationmechanism 16 (shown in outline).

In FIG. 3, the massage device 2 also has an intermediate neck 12 linkedto the body 4 and a remote massage head 14. The intermediate neck 12remains stationary during use and transmits the forces produced by themotor and rotating shaft 8 to the smooth circular head 14 via a headagitation mechanism 16 (shown in outline). The body 4 contains a simpleon/off control 6 a.

FIG. 4 shows in outline a process aspect herein. An electric toothbrushhead comprising an intermediate neck 12 and remote bristle head 20 isshown both in unadapted form (left hand view) and then in adapted form(right hand view) in which in place of the bristle head 20 there isprovided smooth massage head 14.

FIG. 5 shows three alternative smooth massage head shapes. Thealternatives are (from left to right) flat-headed 14 a; bulb-headed 14b; and pointed-headed 14 c.

FIG. 6 shows in outline a process aspect herein. The remote bristle head20 of an electric toothbrush head is simply replaced by a remote smoothmassage head 14. It may be appreciated that either head 14, 20 issuitable for mounting to the intermediate neck 12 of a toothbrush ormassage head as shown in FIG. 4.

The advantage of the simple replacement process of FIG. 6 is that itonly involves creating new tooling for one modified part (i.e. thesmooth massage head 14) to replace the bristle head 20. Every other partof the electric toothbrush can remain unchanged. This represents a verylow cost solution for toothbrush head manufacturers.

The method of FIG. 6 can also be adapted to make it difficult forcompeting manufacturers as it first involves removing the existingbristle head part. This is usually difficult to do without damaging theoriginal toothbrush head. Additionally, although there is only onereplacement part, it is usually quite a complex small plastic part,often with a small metal bearing.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative process herein. An electric toothbrush headcomprising an intermediate neck 12 and remote bristle head 20 a is firsttaken. The bristles 22 a of the bristle head 20 a are significantlytrimmed down (e.g. by cutting) to produce a trimmed bristle head 20 b inwhich the bristles are typically of a length of no more than 1 mm. Inone variation herein, the trimming down step is replaced by a step inwhich the bristles are physically pulled out of the bristle head 20 asuch as by the action of a pair of pliers. A smooth massage head 14 isthen created by applying a small amount of epoxy resin to the trimmedbristle head 20 b and shaping the so applied resin to form the head tip14.

Epoxy resin is used because it beads well and forms a very strong bondwith the remaining bristle 20 b base. The quantity and viscosity of theresin used will determine the final shape of the rounded head 14. From aproduction point of view, UV setting epoxy resins are suitable.

The epoxy resin method is well suited to third-party modification ofexisting toothbrush heads. Initial investment is low, and the methodinvolves a simple manufacturing techniques. These advantages also applyto the process shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative process, which however has its first twosteps in common with those of FIG. 7. That is to say: An electrictoothbrush head comprising an intermediate neck 12 and remote bristlehead 20 a is first taken. The bristles 22 a of the bristle head 20 a aresignificantly trimmed down (e.g. by cutting) to produce a trimmedbristle head 20 b in which the bristles are typically of a length of nomore than 1 mm. In the process of FIG. 8 however, the smooth massagehead 14 is created by capping the trimmed bristle head 20 b with asmooth massage head cap 24 to form a smooth massage head 14. FIGS. 9 and10 show alternative ways of securing the smooth massage head cap 24 tothe trimmed bristle head 20 b. As in FIG. 7, the trimming down step mayin aspects, be replaced by a step in which the bristles are physicallypulled out of the bristle head.

In the process of FIG. 9, the smooth massage head cap 24 is adhesivelyfixed flush to the trimmed bristle head 20 b. In the process of FIG. 10,the smooth massage cap 24 is provided with a collar 26, which engagesthe trimmed bristle head 20 b and the so engaged parts are weldedtogether (i.e. trimmed bristle head 20 b to collar 26).

The application of which this description and claims form part may beused as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application.The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any featureor combination of features described therein. They may take the form ofproduct, method or use claims and may include, by way of example andwithout limitation, one or more of the following claims:

1. A process for making a massage device comprising (a) taking the bodyand motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush head therefor, saidbrush head comprising a bristle head; and (b) adapting said bristle headto produce a massage head that is substantially smooth and devoid ofbristles.
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the bristles of thebristle head are trimmed or pulled out and a resin applied to theremaining bristle head to form the substantially smooth massage head. 3.A process according to claim 2, wherein the resin is an epoxy resin. 4.A process according to claim 3, wherein the epoxy resin is a UV settingepoxy resin.
 5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the bristles ofthe bristle head are trimmed or pulled out and a smooth massage headfixture applied to the remaining bristle head to form the substantiallysmooth massage head.
 6. A process according to claim 5, wherein thesmooth massage head fixture is adhesively fixed to the remaining bristlehead.
 7. A process according to claim 5, wherein the smooth massage headfixture is shaped to engage with the remaining bristle head.
 8. Aprocess according to claim 7, wherein the massage head fixture isprovided with a collar for engagement with the remaining bristle head.9. A process according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein once engaged,the massage head fixture and the remaining bristle head are permanentlyfixed by means of a bonding or welding operation.
 10. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein the bristles of the bristle head aretrimmed and the remaining bristle head is smoothed by a mechanicalsmoothing process to form the substantially smooth massage head.
 11. Aprocess according to claim 1, wherein the bristles are pulled out of thebristle head and optionally, the remaining bristle head is smoothed by amechanical smoothing process to form the substantially smooth massagehead.
 12. A process for making a massage device comprising (a) takingthe body and motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush head therefor,said brush head comprising a bristle head; and (b) replacing saidbristle head with a massage head that is substantially smooth and devoidof bristles.
 13. A process substantially as described in theaccompanying description and drawings.